Anniesails

Thanks for the information.

Pam, did you enjoy the South America cruise? We are looking at 14 day Cape Horn from BA to Santiago in January 2015.

We just took this trip early Feb aboard the Golden in a Minisuite. Awesome trip, sights are magnificent, enjoyed a Balcony. Saw the window suite cabins but were unimpressed, just to feel the sea on your skin around the HOrn is awesome.

The ports through Patagonia are aweinspiring!!! The Penguins are adorable. Trip of a lifetime, so glad we went. enjoy it.

:DIt seems so silly to pay for a transfer from Miami to Fort Lauderdale when there are perfectly nice hotels right near the Pier. I always stay in the Renasaince By the Pier Hotel its right across the street from the Culinary Art Institute which has fabulous dinners at very reasonable prices. The money you save can be put to upgrade your hotel to the "club" level which will entitle you to a great Breakfast and evening snacks and liquors, if you are so inclined. In any event, have a fabulous trip.

what is it? Since it was aboard the Sky I didn't think it was a timeshare thing but maybe

Has anyone else gotten a call from an 877 # stating that I am being offered a Norwegian cruise aboard the Sky to the Bahamas for 5 nights for $98pp. I am always leary about such things and wanted to check it out:rolleyes::rolleyes: with you guys first.

it's always been there since I have been using Spa servicws (about 15 yrs), never had a treatment without it.

For the most part "destinational" cruises are very port-intensive. Much less party focused. So much fun though. Agree with Lew to add a few days to do some land touring wherever you wind up. Have fun.

My family is from Sicily so made sure I did an extensive land trip a few years ago . I loved it. This cruise stops in Messina.

I double checked the Itinerary, Santorini is the 1st port. the second week we visit Epheseus and sicily

We are looking at the Med cruises for 2015, one of the ones we saw was a 14 day itinerary which includes 7 days going to Greek Isles: includes Mykonos, Crete, Rhodes, and Athens. Do you think this is enough time to see them adequately ??? Its been a dream to see these islands. :)

I did the Crab Shack on the Star Princess in December and really enjoyed it. It was actually one of the best meals I had on the ship. I went to all three specialty restaurants on that cruise just for the fun of it. Here are some pictures.

:confused: 3 specialty restaurants? I know of Sabatini's and the Crown Grill, what is the 3rd??

I am sure you will enjoy the menu. No King Crab Legs but from memory the menu is as follows: Appetizers are the same for everyone, Popcorn Shrimp and Manhattan Clam Chowder (unbelievably delicious), then your choise of Entrees. I had the Mixed Pot which included a healthy selection of clams, Snow Crab legs, shrimp and mussels along with seasoned corn and potatoes. All of the food was super fresh and luscious. I too am a huge King Crab Leg fan but will admit the Snow Crab legs were great !!! Enjoy:)

Too Long and cruise, really don't go together.

We sailed around Cape Horn on the Golden end Jan - Feb 2014. The Crab Shack was offered every evening. Absolutely fantastic menu. Not that well attended as it was just introduced that cruise I am sure it is more popular by now. Not sure if you can switch the dining credit. Well worth the $20 fee.:D

laundry closes at 10 pm

I must say it is truly a testament to your writing skills that this thread has lasted several Years, rarely happens. I just read your report today and enjoyed every word. I saw England and Scotland over 2 trips both of which were driving trips my partner and I did on our own. Loved them. We also did 2 weeks driving around Ireland which we loved and could probably go back ina minute. But, I must say the cruise sounds interesting and different from what it was like doing a land trip. We have the Mediterranean booked for next year but will definately look at this in the near future. Plan on printing out your report for future reference. thank you so much for sharing and for taking your time doing it. :)

Thank you all for your insights. Some of the most travelled and well informed folks around. Happy sailing .

I recently called my Princess Cruise Consultant about an itinerary for next year. She said wait until I pull up your account to get YOUR price. I then read somewhere that pricing is not always consistent, that it can depend on your cruising history with the Cruise Line. Does anyone have any insight into this issue ???:confused:

Recently sailed for 2 weeks aboard the Golden. We did the SouthAmerican Itinerary around Cape Horn. The trip itself was awesome. The Golden was in great shape, I guess showing a little wear on the balconies due to saltair. We had a MiniSuite so the cabin was spacious with a large bathroom. The staff was attentive and happy. We ate in both Sabatini's and the Crown Grill and had great meals both times. We were a little disappointed in the size of the IC and Vines but that is probably due to it being added on. The ambience and views of the Skywalker Lounge is not to be missed. We used to go up every evening for snacks and drinks before dinner. I am sure you will love your cruise.

I would arrange to have chocolate covered strawberries delivered to the stateroom with or without a nice bottle of champagne if you guys drink, that is. The Ultimate Balcony Dinner is really awesome, It is served in courses on your balcony with full Butler Service. Traditionally it is surf and turf but if you need to change the menu you can call the Dining Line and make other choices. Whatever you do, have a terrific time and always love each other. ;)

That is why there are guarantees.

We have never recieved an upgrade and received rooms with obstructed views and handicapped rooms.

I weigh the price. We are still awaiting a cabin assignment for a cruise that departs in just a few weeks. We paid $900.pp for a 7 day cruise with a guarantee of junior (mini) suite or above. I am not expecting anything more than a mini suite but for that price, I could not pass it by.

My husband sleeps like a rock so noise is not an issue. Luckily, niether one of us gets seasick.

These are the things to keep in mind.

At this stage of life. I only do guarantees of junior(mini) suites.

The worst thing we ever did was one called 'run of the ship'. The tell you that you can get any catagory.

We wound up with not getting the assignment until we were at the pier.

It was an outside room over the anchor chain and thrusters. There were times you could not even carry on a conversation in the room there was so much noise.

I was surprised to see you thought a HANDICAPPED room was an inferior room, aren't they a little bigger??

Wow sounds like the OP has his panties in quite the wad. Most of us are fans of Princess and that is why we are on the Princess Boards. Sorry you feel the way you do about this side trip. Hopefully,you will cancel your Princess Cruise BEFORE you go. If you go with this attitude you are bound to find tons of stuff to bother you and you no doubt will bother everyone else. So hopefully you will cut everyone's losses and CANCEL.

We are on the 7 day from Athens > Istanbul then another 7 days through Turkey, Malta and Italy, ends in Rome.

Have fun on your cruise. Ours is on the Emerald.

Just booked the 14 day itinerary from Athens > Rome. Technically it is considered a combination of 2 cruises, they are offering several segments next year in Europe. I asked our Cruise Consultant to book it in 2 segments so we will get credit for 2 cruises, very close to elite now. Will we have to get off the ship as if it was a B2B? Does anyone know? :rolleyes:

I agree the Microdermabrasion Facial is awesome, my second choice is the Vitamin C facial, leaves your face tight from the stringent qualities of ascorbic acid. Have fun and enjoy, pampering is always the way to go in my book. I get monthly facials at home and at 58 have very few FINE WRINKLES , or so people tell me. :rolleyes:

They only just opened up the 2015 European Itineraries for booking, how is it possible that the Emerald doing this cruise July 18th 2015 has only ONE MInisuite available. It just opened up. I am really annoyed, I don't want to feel pressured to book but there will be 3 of us and would prefer a minisuite.